Author:
Publication: News Today
Date: December 8, 2007
URL: http://newstodaynet.com/newsindex.php?id=2843%20&%20section=5
The National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA),
of the Union Ministry of Space has published a book of satellite photographs
[ISBN: 817525 6524] claiming that "archeological studies show" that
the Setu may be "man made" (see enclosed photo). This book has been
distributed to all MPs free by the Ministry of Space. Yet Ms.Ambika Soni as
Minister of Culture to a question in Rajya Sabha (August 14, 2007) falsely
stated that "no archeological studies has been made in respect of the
Rama Setu". This is a breach of privilege of the House, for which she
should be punished.
The Ramar Sethu, which is under much focus,
could be 'man-made and has an echo in the ancient epic, the Ramayana', concurs
a government publication tabled in parliament last week.
This publication could put the Congress-led
government in a piquant spot as its hardline allies like the DMK has been
trying to push the Sethusamudram project demolishing this historic and sacred
link.
A book 'Images India' published by the Hyderabad-based
National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) that comes under the Department of Space,
says the satellite images have revealed an 'ancient bridge between India and
Sri Lanka in Palk strait'.
'The origin of the bridge is a mystery. Archaeological
studies have revealed that the bridge dates back to the primitive age that
is about 1,750,000 years.'
'Its structure suggests that it may be man-made,'
it says on page 39 of the coffee table book under the sub-title 'Stunning
Structures'. 'This 30 km long bridge, named as Adam's bridge, is made of a
chain of shoals and links Rameshwaram in the south India to Sri Lanka.'
It goes on to say: 'This has an echo in the
ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to the epic, such a bridge was
built by Lord Rama and his followers to reach Sri Lanka. Studies are still
on but the bridge is seen as an example of ancient history.'
The revelations in the book, with a foreword by Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) chairman G Madhavan Nair, are in contrast to what the government has
been maintaining so far that the Sethu is formed by giant tombolos - bars
of sand connecting an island with another island of the mainland.
It also contradicts the findings of the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI), which says there is no 'historic or scientific' evidence
of the existence of Lord Ram or Ram Sethu.
The government has given the nod to a multi-million
dollar Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project, which requires breaking a portion
of Ram Sethu to make a route navigable for ships around the Indian peninsula.
